Tortoiseshell refers to an organic material obtained from Hawksbill Turtle shell used in jewelry manufacturing/making. Tortoiseshell consists of translucent and dark brown to yellow layers  turtle shell, which was once commonly found

around tropical reefs in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.(See Pique Point and Pique Pose).

Visit the website of Historic New England at www.historicnewengland.org .for a photo of a vintage jewelry made of Tortoiseshell.

Author's Note: I am wondering if Tortoiseshell is still being used as jewelry material nowadays considering that Tortoise is already an endangered species and must be conserved. (See Hawksbill Turtle)